Fire-extinguishing apparatus.



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PATENTBD APR. 24, 1906.4

c. E. BUBLL,

PIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1901.

'NITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. BUELL, OF NORTH PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GENERALFIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

Original application ledApril 20, 1892, Serial 110.429,825. Divided andthis application filed September 4, 1901. Serial No. '74,335-

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES E. BUELL, of North Plainield, Somersetcounty, State of New Jersey, have invented Improvements inFire-Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a speclication,the same being a division of my application for {ire-extinguishers filedApril 20, 1892, Serial No. 429,825.

My invention consists, primarily, in the combination, with a system ofautomatic sprinklers, of a main valve apparatus closing the Waterwaybetween the main supply pipe and the distributin -pipes,thermally-actuated devices norma ly sealing the distributing-pipes, analarm apparatus held normally out of effective action by a valvularmechanism that is adapted to be moved by the variation of pressure inthe pipes of the system due to the opening of a sprinkler and when somoved to bring said alarm apparatus into effective action, substantiallyas hereinafter described.

My invention further `consists in the com bination, with the pipes of asprinkler system, of a means for admitting water thereto from a mainsupply, a pressure-controlled apparatus having connection to an alarmapparatus and adapted to admit water to said alarm apparatus when asprinkler opens and the pressurein the system varies, substantially ashereinafter described.

` My invention further consists in the combination, with the pipes of asprinkler system, of a water-motor having connection to said pipesthrough a pressure-actuated apparatus that in its normal operationadmits Water to said motor when the pressure in the system is varied bythe opening of a sprinkler and an electric generator in operativerelation to said motor, the whole arranged and operating substantiallyas hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing the figure represents a sprinkler systemhaving the main riser P, connecting between the main supply-pipe M andthe tank T and comprising a double bend constituting a Siphon by meansof which the water from the tank T can be held by air-pressure fromentering into and illin the riser P until a sprinkler melts open anallows the air-pressure to esing gage G, having connection to the riserP and by its index-hand to operate an electric circuit in which isincluded the electric bell G and battery B when the pressure in riser Pfalls below a predetermined point. There is also shown a water-motor W Mattached to the alternating-current electric generator D and providedwith a bell b and hammer h for sounding a local alarm when the motor isin motion and for generatin(y currents for charging the' circuitcomposed of Wires W W to sound a distant alarm when the motor is givenmotion by the entrance of water thereto through the pipe P2, which hasconnection to the system through the pressure-actuated valve V and theattached combined piston and valve V in the cylinder A.

A check-valve C V is shown located in the branch of the main supplywhich leads to the steam-pump (not shown) to prevent the escape of theair-pressure in the system.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When a sprinkler S Sopens, the Water in tank T flows to iill riser P and through pipe P3 tobeneath-the combined piston and valve V, which by its large area forpressure raises valve V, admitting water from main M to supply thesystem and also admitting water to pipe P2 for iving motion to motor WM. A valve R is s iown at the inlet of the large pipe ofthe Siphon intank T to prevent overflow of the tank when the water from main M isadmitted to the system. There are also shown the feed-pipe andoverfiowpipe for regulating the flow of water to and sure of water fromthe pipes leading' from the roo local supply to the distributing-pipes,as this is disclosed and claimed in my main application above referredto.

What I claim is'- 1. The combination with a system of automaticsprinklers, of a main-valve mechanism, means for automatically operatingthe said valve mechanism by variatlons of pressure in the pipes ofthesystem, a motor havino connection to said system through the avemechanism, an electric generator connected to the said motor and circuitconnections joined to said generator.

2. The combination with a sprinkler system of a mechanism for givingfire-alarms when a sprinkler opens by heat that comprises a motoroperated by water admitted thereto. automatically bya lowering ofpressure in the pipes of the system, a generator of electricity drivenby said motor, and having connections to an alarm apparatus, and analarm ap aratus having connection to the pipes of t e system through apressure-indieating device that is independent of `the said motor.

3. The combination with an incased valve normally excluding Water fromthe pipes of a sprinkler system, of a tank located above said valve andhaving a siphon connection thereto and to the system of sprinklers,means for maintaining air-pressure normally in the system that isadapted to prevent water from the tank acting to raise said valve untilthe pressure in the system is destroyed by the o ening of a sprinkler, awater-motor provide with connections to an alarm apparatus, and pipeconnections from said watermotor to the interior of the casing of saidvalve.

4. In a lire-extinguishing system the combination with a valve mechanismfor normally excluding the Water from the system, of a main supplyipe, amain riser-pipe, and a valve closing t e waterway between the said pies, connections from the main riser to a supp y of gaseous pressure, anda connection .-om --tnelsaidwalve mechanism to a combined Water-motorand electric generator, the whole arranged and operating substantiallyas described.

.5. An alarm for automatic sprinklers comprising a dry-pipe-valvemechanism with pipe connections from the said. mechanism at a point fromwhich the water is normally excluded to a water-motor, an electricgenerator adapted to be operated by said motor, Wire connections to aremote point, and a local alarm that is adapted to be made operative bythe said motor.

6. The combination with a s stem oi sprinklers, of a tank located a )ovethe sprinklers, means for maintaining gaseous pressure to normally holdthe water from entering i'rom the said tank into the said pipes, anauxiliary su ply of water that is normally turned ofi an a valve forcontrolling the same that is adapted to be operated by the pressure fromthe tank to turn on the auxiliary water-supply when a sprinkler opens, awater-motor having connection to the system and adapted to receive watertherefrom when the water from the tank operates the valve controllingthe auxiliary sup ly, and an electric generator in operative reiation tosaid motor for transmitting alarm-signals to denote the movement ot saidvalve.

7. In a pressure-utilizing system the combination of a dry-pipe valvefor normally closing the waterway between the main supply and the pipesof the system, thermallyactuated devices sealing the distributingpipesof the system, a'pressure-controlled alarm apparatus connected to thesystem and mechanism for operating the main valve and normally excludingwater from said alarm apparatus and adapted to admit Water to saidapparatus when a sprinkler opens.

CHARLES E. BUELL.

Witnesses:

A. C. BUELL, D. T. CLAwsoN.

